Testimonials

We very much value comments from our clients concerning the services we offer. It is through this feedback that we are able to continually keep a focus on their needs and to make changes in the way we operate that will be of benefit for them. We will be grateful for any feedback regarding any phase of your property search, purchase or post-purchase, negative as well as positive. You can address your comments to info@stara-planina.com or Stara Planina Properties, PO Box 23, Veliko Turnovo 5000, Bulgaria.

Below are some of the testimonials we received from clients who have purchased properties with us.

Before we even decided to visit Bulgaria, Stara Planina Properties played a vital role in helping us with our research. The information on their website was very useful and relevant. Property searching was easy. Information about Bulgaria and the buying process was extremely valuable.

From the moment we arrived at the Varna office, we were made to feel like valued clients. The staff have been fabulous, especially Elena. She always responds quickly to any queries we might have. She has also been very helpful with things that we wouldn’t normally expect an estate agent to deal with e.g. sending photos on a regular basis showing the progress of our build and arranging registration at the police station etc.

We have seen Stara Planina featured in various media e.g. the Telegraph, the Times and the Guardian, Channel Four’s ’A Place in the Sun’, ’I Want that House’ and ’Bulgaria - the Next Big Thing’. The company has a very strong reputation and the staff are very friendly and professional. They are clearly very in touch with the UK buyers, which is another reason for choosing them.

On our first visit we were shown a very comprehensive selection of properties to choose from. We weren’t sure what type of property we were looking for or where we wanted to buy (new apartment, old house, by the sea or in the mountains etc etc???). We actually ended up buying something that we hadn’t even thought about.

The whole purchase process has been surprisingly easy. The lawyer recommended by Stara Planina took charge of everything and was very thorough with all of the details. The legal part of the process was one of our biggest worries, so it was reassuring to have a lawyer associated with Stara Planina who we had already built up a relationship with.

We have been pleasantly surprised by the services that have been offered. They 'held our hands' through the whole purchase. Some agents would have left us after we agreed to buy the house. Even now the purchase has been completed, we still have a good relationship with Stara Planina and they are still very happy to help if we have any queries.

We would absolutely definitely have no hesitation in recommending Stara Planina to anyone looking to buy in Bulgaria

Gary & Dawn Pimm and Darren & Tanya West,South West, UK

When we first visited Bulgaria, we had no idea of the process for buying a property. We had no contacts or advisors. We interviewed several companies and decided to try Stara Planina Properties. A decision we did not regret! The whole team in Varna are just superb. Friendly an defficient, nothing is too much trouble. They confidently know their marketplace and have all the contacts that are needed to buy and manage a property in Bulgaria. We were so impressed that we have continued to use SPP for all our property needs. They are now advising us on our own developent scheme and we will continue to grow our relationship.

Stephen Barrett,St. Paul’s Properties Ltd

Since first contacting Stara Planina Properties, I have been impressed by how 'user-friendly' and informative their website is, and how helpful and professional their sales teams have been in Sofia and Varna ( I'm sure the same applies in Veliko Turnovo!) both during my visit and in subsequent correspondence. To provide an e-mailed Newsletter on a monthly basis is a valued feature. I look forward to continuing to work with SPP closely during an exciting, challenging, refurbishment project and beyond.

Mr P. S.

Our first contact with Stara Planinia Properties was in 2001 shortly after the Veliko Turnovo office first opened. We subsequently purchased a property near Dryanovo.Buying the house was a painless and well explained process with staff providing invaluable advice and guidance throughout.They were particularily helpful as we wanted to be in the Dryanovo area which was not then an area in which there was much interest but they rose to the challenge.

I would personally recommend Sara Planina as the longest established Property agents with a well deserved and well earned reputation. Over recent years we have come across a number of British individuals who we have pointed in Stara Planina Properies direction - their experiences with some of the other companies was clearly less than ideal. What I also feel is important is that whether your budget is modest - like ours - or big you get the same service and attention to detail. Buying a property in Bulgaria is the same as at home - you need to make a judgement about who you can trust. Thats why I would recommend them.

Jonathan Carruthers and Tina ClaytonGrimsby and Chukovo

We recently purchased a village property in Bulgaria. We were very fortunate to discover Stara Planina Properties Agents. At their Rousse office we were offered a wide range of properties to choose from, with escorted viewings, and no pressure sales.

Nothing was too much trouble for the staff that assisted us throughout the purchasing and renovationg process. Their professional attitude and commitment inspired confidence and ensured a trouble free, and smooth transaction.

If you are considering buying a property in Bulgaria we would highly recommend the services of Stara Planina Properties.

Kathleen and Allen MaherManchester

Stara-Planina and the Staff from the Sofia office guided me through the purchase of a large plot of land in a Ski area. At all time I felt that I was in the safest of hands and everything was explained to me at all stages of the transaction. I am now planning to develop the site and have asked Stara-Planina to guide me through this process as well. I have found Stara-Planina to be honest, supportive, friendly, flexible and having a strong desire to ensure that your purchase will be exactly what you want. I have recommended 3 friends to use the services of Stara-Planina, I would not do this if I felt uncertain of their abilities. All I can say is Thank you to the Sofia office for making my purchase a really fun and stress free experience.

Douglas Ross

Could we just say a big thanks to all the team at "Stara Planina" in Sofia. They have made the process of buying our house in “Elishnitsa” very un-complicated and have given us peace of mind being back here in the UK, that everything has been done as to the contract. We have had regular photos and progress reports right through the whole process.We purchased the house in July 2005 and it was ready to move in to by February 2006.

Well done to you all.

Steven Booth

We were quite excited about the prospect of investing in Bulgaria as we had heard it was 'the next big thing' from a couple of sources in the UK. Our investments in the UK had hit the peak and it was time to look elsewhere. The daunting part was how to go about it - we didn't even know where Bulgaria was, let alone speaking the language or knowing anything about the property market.

As the TV programme makers had used Stara Planina Properties we decided it would be a good starting point talking to them. We are glad we did. Their local knowledge of the market, along with their contacts and their dedication to getting the job done proved second-to-none.

We have now become quite active in the Bulgarian property market and leave nearly everything in the hands of Stara Planina. They do give us peace of mind - there have been properties that they have guided us to 'pull out' of because their lawyers had uncovered problems with the title or with the sale. Everything is clear, translated well and handled professionally and I would recommend them to you.

My only criticism was that at our first meeting I had asked for testimonials from other UK buyers with a knowledge of Stara Planina. None appeared - it was early days for the Sofia office - so hopefully by writing this now it will provide some useful feedback for other investors!

Our own investments are in the ski areas of Bansko and Pamporovo. Our UK business is based in Cornwall and Devon - please feel free to contact us if there are any questions you may wish to ask.

As soon as I walked into the offices of Stara Planina Properties, I felt that I’d come to the right place. In all my dealings with them since, in both sales and management, that feeling of integrity and professionalism has only been reinforced. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Mr. C. Baker (UK)

We were delighted by the advice and assistance given to us by SPP in helping to find and purchase a villa we had built on the outskirts of Varna. The staff were friendly, courteous and very knowledgeable and this enabled all the transactions to proceed on time within budget and without any problems. As a result we have now engaged their property management arm to look after the security and maintenance of the house. We would certainly recommend their services to anyone thinking of buying property in Bulgaria.

Richard & Lynn

My wife and I arrived in Bulgaria on 3rd September and left on the 14th. During that time the Rousse office of Stara Planina Properties arranged viewings for all the properties we were interested in. Having decided on our house, things were concluded with amazing efficiency and speed. The staff at Rousse were unfailingly helpful, cheerful and positive. I would have no hesitation in recommending Stara Planina Properties to anyone.

Kind regards,Mr Bill BryceArgyll

I would highly recommend Stara Planina Properties, the service from start to finish was 1st class, with your individual needs acknowledged and taken on board. It was refreshing to be treated as an individual client, not herded around and pressurized on an organized viewing trip.

Mrs J. Stafford

A first class company from the start of the viewing to the completion of the property transaction. Everything is explained and written down with no hidden costs at the end, and I have no hesitation in recommending Stara Planina Properties as your one-stop-shop for property buying in Bulgaria.

B.C.Telford (UK) and Veliko Tarnovo (BG)

I would like to comment on the wonderful service I received in Rousse recently. Well, not quite recently it was round about May 2005 and I have since bought a property but the warmth and support of the Rousse team made a lasting impression.Visiting Rousse was a fantastic experience made so by Irena, Geri and the dashing George. They all worked very hard to ensure I got the right property - especially because I left myself just a weekend to do it in. In any case, the property was no longer the focus - we had an amazing time with lovely dinners, lots of banter, and I met so many local people. I generally felt that I was amongst friends and was probably more relaxed myself than I have been for years - nothing to do with the Rakia (Bulgarian vodka-like drink) - but rather the beauty and charm of Rousse and its people. I can't recommend Stara-Planina at Rousse highly enough and look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

It was quite an impulsive move on my part. I had read earlier in the magazine "A Place in the Sun" about properties in Bulgaria and it was interesting to see that most of them were offered by Stara Planina Properties.Eventually I visited the web site and was surprised to see a huge range of properties. I found a lovely cottage which belonged to an artist and was ready to buy "sight unseen". At such a low price I couldn't go wrong.

I listened to my wife.

Best Wishes,Dr D.OdelolaManchester, UK

We arrived in Veliko Turnovo and were not quite sure where to start househunting and were recommended Stara Planina by the very helpful owner of our hotel. We were impressed immediately by the professional approach by the owner and his staff. We gave them our remit. They explained fully their fee structure and then we started viewing. We purchased the first property on the second day of viewing and another just 4 days later prior to leaving. We are more than delighted with our properties, the buying experience and after sales service. Both sales went through without a hitch with no hidden costs. Stara Planina delivered exactly what they said they would.

Joyce & Peter McGlone

I found Stara Planina Properties very professional, extremely friendly and willing to guide me through the purchasing process procedure without the usual hassle you find with UK estate agents. They have also carried out renovation works and managed the property in an efficient and competant manner. I would recommend them to my friends and family.

J.R. Chichester, UK

Being total foreign property virgins we decided to explore the possibilities of buying in Bulgaria after carefully considering but dismissing France, Italy, and Spain. The main reason for Bulgaria was the value for money in the properties on offer.

We contacted Stara Planina because of their involvement in English television and because it was English run. Stara arranged all travel and hotel bookings, very efficiently and on the first visit we explored the country, except for the coast, which is of no interest to us. We also viewed properties to get an idea of what is available, again all done through Stara with no pressure to buy.

We decided we wanted to purchase in the Veliko Tarnova region and returned about 2 months later and bought in a village close to Veliko. We probably viewed about 30 properties before buying but at no time were we pressured into buying. Stara completed all the legal arrangements, efficiently and painlessly.

After buying we authorised Bulgarian Property Management to act as project managers for the restoration. All has gone as smoothly as any building project, some unexpected costs but nothing has been done without our agreement being provided with full costings and photographs as the works proceeded.

The standard of building work has been very high, particularly the carpentry on replacing windows to the original design and should you wish to view the renovation work to reassure yourselves I have no objection to your visiting the site with BPM.

The Bulgarian people are lovely, intelligent, hardworking and helpful as are all Stara staff.

Anna & Robin Pike, SwindonWiltshire

I would have no hesitation in recommending Stara-Planina Properties to anyone who was looking to buy property in Bulgaria. From the moment I walked into their office in Veliko Turnavo I was impressed. The service was great and even though I only had a short time available to me and made my decision fairly late the day before a public holiday, they got all the necessary forms completed in time so that I could carry on with the buying process when I returned home. All in all excellent.

Andy Roberts

Stara Planina was the first agent we saw in Veliko Tarnovo and from the first moment we dealt with them till the completion of our purchase they were utterly professional, helpful, friendly and fun to deal with. We did see other agents in town and they were fine, no complaints, it's just that Stara have an edge. That edge is their staff team. From the moment you walk in to the office, to the viewings with the amazing Nickolai who could not have been more helpful or pleasant, and throughout the service they offer, holding our hands as we dealt with banks, notaries, the KAT office etc etc and even now after we have bought the property they are there for us, the best staff team in VT!

I cannot recommend them highly enough, if only estate agents in the UK were like this.

Warren and Silvi, Hotnitsa

Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, Bulgaria

We would like to say a big thankyou to the staff at Stara Planina for all their hard work in ensuring our recent property purchase went smoothly and completely stress free. The staff at the Veliko Tarnovo branch were friendly, efficient and extremely knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. They kept us informed every step of the way during our property purchase. We cannot recommend Stara Planina highly enough to anyone considering buying a property in Bulgaria. We were completely at ease during the whole process. Thank you.

Julie Gill and Christopher Trigg

Bournemouth

We are not usually people to review the service we have received but then rarely have we received such outstanding service. From the moment we contacted the Rousse office and were taken under the wing of Monica Jivkova we knew we were dealing with a very professional set up. Monica has been faultless and has taken care of everything on our behalf. The process has been totally stress free (from our point of view anyway!). We thoroughly recommend Stara Planina and especially Monica and her team in Rousse.

Pete Langley

I recently bought a property from Stara Planina. I must say the service I received was outstanding, in particular Nicolai has exceeded my expectations, without his help, patience and understanding I wouldn't be here today. I did find other estate agents bordering on the pushy side and didn't do much to make me feel comfortable and at ease as Stara Planina staff did. After many trips to different locations, back and forth, again and again, they found me the house I wanted. Very pleased and would strongly recommend Stara Planina to anyone who wants to buy in Bulgaria. Thank you very much to everyone at Stara Planina.

Valerio Monti Arduini, London

Just a quick word to say thank you very much to everyone at the Veliko Turnovo office of Stara Planina Properties for arranging everything for my house purchase near the village of Miykovtsi. Ever since my first visit to Bulgaria, Stara Planina have provided me with a wide range of excellent services and knowledgeable advice, from the initial house viewings to the current well organised renovation work. Also, many thanks to the neighbours for being such a great help with everything, and for providing such good hospitality during my stay!

Stara-Planina and the Staff from the Sofia office guided me through the purchase of a large plot of land in a Ski area. At all time I felt that I was in the safest of hands and everything was explained to me at all ...